As cruise lines learn how to navigate the choppy waters of returning to sea with a hopeful end to the pandemic in sight, Princess Cruises has decided to extend the pause of its return to cruising in the Caribbean, California Coast, Mexico, and Mediterranean through June 30, 2021.
The pause affects the following voyages:
Caribbean Princess: Seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises
Enchanted Princess: Seven-day Mediterranean & Adriatic, seven-day Western Mediterranean, and 14-day Western Mediterranean & Adriatic Medley
Ruby Princess: Seven-day Classic California Coast, seven-day Mexican Riviera, and five-day Cabo San Lucas Getaway sailings
What this means to people holding existing reservations
For guests who had already booked one of Princess’ cancelled voyages, the company will offer to move them to the same cruise when it sets sail in 2022. Princess says those guests will have the added benefit of price protection, guaranteeing that what they paid for the 2021 cruise will hold for their 2022 voyage. If they prefer, guests can also choose a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100 percent of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus equal to 10 percent of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25 USD). And if all else fails, customers can also request a full refund to the original form of payment.
Guests who were booked on one of the cancelled trips that Princess doesn’t have a set itinerary for in 2022 will automatically receive a refundable FCC equivalent to 100 percent of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10 percent of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25).
There is a deadline on these options, though. Requests must be received through the company’s online form by April 15, 2021. If it isn’t processed by then, guests will automatically receive the FCC option. FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by and sailing by December 31, 2022.
For up-to-date information and instructions for booked guests affected by these cancellations, plus more information on FCCs and refunds, it’s available on the company’s site here.